Skywarn Weather Spotter Training

Published May 19th, 2008

Its that time of year again.... thunderstorms are gettting more active and hurricane season is just around the corner. Bll Hindenlang, a resident of gilcrest county for over 5 years, knows how intense North Central Florida's weather can get in the summertime. To learn more about the weather he recently became a certified weather spotter. The National Weather Service teams up with emergency management to train the general public to be the eyes in the field during severe weather events. Best of all, its free of charge.

"Not only do the spotters help us do our jobs better, but the spotters are giving their community a great service," says Angela Enyedi the trainer of the class from the NWS in Jacksonville.

Skywarn teaches spotters how to identify types of cloud features in storms, severe weather vocabulary and local weather hazards ranging from lightning to downbursts. Reporting things like hail size, flooding, and gusty winds can help the national weather service provide more accurate warnings in a severe weather situation. Storm spotters learn all about these topics during the Skywarn training.

"They basically just call in their weather reports. they call right into the office... so they're definitely part of our weather warning team," says Enyedi.

Anyone with an interest in the weather is encouraged to take the class, even if you have no weather background.

"The more eyes out their the better."

To learn more about the skywarn program go to the national weather service website in jacksonville at www.srh.noaa.gov/jax/skywarn.shtml or contact your local emergency management office.